Japanese Government to Invest Up to $6.2 Billion to Support SoftBank and Others in Developing Domestic AI Foundation Models

Odaily Odaily报道，日本政府宣布将提供最高1万亿日元（约合62亿美元）资金，支持包括SoftBank Group旗下企业在内的9家公司联合开发本土人工智能基础模型，以加速追赶美国与中国在AI领域的领先优势。

The plan aims to help Japan establish an independent and controllable AI technology system, strengthen "technological sovereignty," and reduce reliance on overseas large models and computing ecosystems. The project will focus on basic large model research and development, with participants including SoftBank and several other technology companies, and will primarily cover core areas such as computing infrastructure, model training, and industrial applications.

The Japanese government stated that this move reflects the accelerating global AI race, where countries are speeding up the construction of local AI ecosystems through national funding and industry alliances to enhance strategic competitiveness. (Nikkei)